The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-09-10


practice, well on toward spring, when
reaching home at late dinner hour
found summons awaiting me to go at
once to Farmer Miles. Taking mo-
ment to snatch hurried dinner l was
off The first mile of my way led up
the river through the long main street
of the town. The lamp-lighter was
just lighting his lamps, The gayly
dressed people, the clamor of bells,
and lights flashing from shop windows
made the scene a bright one. Turning
from the thoroughfarc my route led
over the hills at the north through Il
thickly settled farm ng country. Here
and there as passed by, | saw be-
lated farmer doing his chores, raking
down the hay for his horses, fastening
the cows in their staunchions, locking
the great barn doors, and making all
things snug for winters night.
"My directions had been: Drive on
the Pennington turnpike to the great
red gate, then turn to the left. Reach
ing this point, where once had been a
toll-gate, l turned into q narrow,
drifted and lonely road, country lane
where the SHOWS had been piled from
fence top to fence top; but they were
broken through and packed now.
Down this dreary road l drove. There
were no corners and goers, for no one
travelled this way unless their destina-
ton was the Miles farmhouse. There
were no houses to pass if l except a low
school-house in grove of pines, and
a weather-beaten barn far afield. The
Pmoon was almost at its full, and was
high in the eastern sky, lighting up the
whole landscape, bringing out every
object clear cut and distinct against
the glistening snow. No sounds met
the ear save the muffled flow of tiny
brook beneath its icy covering, and a
soughing noise from the ancient pines
as the east wind blew through their tall
tops.
Il saw no living object far or near
except black cat proving over the
trackless snow making her way to-
ward the old brown barn, until almost
, opposite the old scool-house, when my
horse SHE'D suddenly, jumping to the
roadside, and seeming terrified. Look
ing toward the building to learn, il
possible, the cause of such an outbreak
l in my Normandy pony, usually so true,
! saw the form of man leaning
, against the low door; his face wa:
toward me, and as the moonlight fell
, upon it was sure l recognized the sor
? of widow who lived half a mile down
} the rivera worthy woman, loved ant
honored by her neighbors; but this sol
> was rover There had been ugly
f stories whispered concerning him, as
villagers gathered around the fires a
the wayside inn on winter nights
| stories that were hushed only on &C
s count of his mother. 1t had been hint
l ed that he belonged to gang of bur
: glars that infested the valley, anC
!. several daring deeds of house breaking
, had been laid by suspicion at his door
3; These reports came to my mind as HI
0 stood motionless in the shadow of thu
e School-house. Once / fancied that h
: moved as though he would spring to
G ward me. 1t might have been tn
: shadow of the tree behind him as tn
J, wintry wind blew through its branches
d The loneliness of the place, couple,
t with the reputation the man bore
: struck me like chill and Selling m
y long whip touched my pony, and W
! were off like the thistle down.
Y "Soon after, turning sharp corner
t we came in sight of the farm-hous
}. lights, and driving around to the sid
a porch were met by Farmer Miles VIII
e took my horse, bidding me hasten with
d out delay. | entered the living roor
d or kitchen, where some maids wer
!. busy at their evening work, and til
g hired men were eating their supper.
n only paused 20 lay aside my cute
7, wraps, then followed my guide acros
e broad hall to large room on tn
J. south side of the house where foun
d my patient tossing ona bed of deliriun
d and went to work Immediately to fin
ii relief for her. A few moments aftt
e my entrance, / noticed large dos
e lying couched at the foot of the bee
y just in my path as Invent from the tab
y to the bedside, and making it nece
t, sary for the attendants to go around {
y step over the intruder. Of the specie
d known as the St. Bernard, he was I'll
e largest | had ever seen. His face W,
IS wonderfully intelligent, his fur blac
|, as jet, and glossy as satin, with barrel
one mark of white, a well defined Gro.
e in his forehead. l fell in love with I'll
st animal, while 1 wondered why IL
it huge fellow was permitted to lie
is rectly in the way, or even admitted
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